Island



W. S. SEARLES.

OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING.

APPLlCATlON FILED APR. 17. 1919 1 ,3241, 176.. Patontvd Dec. 9,1919.

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WAYNE S. SEARLES, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL OPTICAL CORPORATION, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

OPHTHALMIC MOUNTING.

Application filed April 17, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WAYNE S. SEARLES, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ophthalmic Mountings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in ophthalmic mountings and more particularly to a non metallic mm for a lens frame in such mountings, and the object of this invention is to provide such a rim of a continuous, annular band grooved internally to fit over the lens frame and offset laterally from the plane of. the rim to fit over or around the end pieces or other pro ections on the rim without being cut, notched or otherwise weakened.

It is found in practice where a nonmetallic rim of xyloiiite or other similar material is out Or notched for the purpose of receiving or fitting around the end pieces that this cut-out portion so weakens the stock that upon shrinking due to drying out, it is easily broken at the weakened portion.. My improved rim obviates this difiiculty as its cross sectional area is uniform and not reduced at any point in its circumference.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawin s:

Figure 1 is a front view s owin my improved rims as applied to a pair 0 lens frames. s

Fig. 2- is an edge view of the lens frames, showing my improved non-metallic rims applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of a lens frame showing the end pieces in section and the rim portion bent or forced laterally from the plane of the rim sufiiciently to pass around the end pieces without being cut away, notched or reduced in cross section at this point.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing a portion of a lens frame with the end iece connected thereto; also showing a portion of my nonmetallic rim as applied to this lens frame,

' said rim being swaged or spread out slightly Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 9, 1919.

Serial No. 290,770.

beyond its normal periphery at the point where it passes over the end piece.

Fig. 5- is an edge view showing the nose bridge member in section and showingthe edge of the rim as swaged outlaterally slightly beyond its normal plane so as to pass over the arm of the bridge member without reducing the cross sectional area of the rim.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the usual metallic lens frame for eyeglass or spectacle mountings, which frames are connected together by the usual nose piece 11 and the outer portions of these frames are usually split at 12 and the split ends are provided with end pieces 13 which extend laterally outwardly therefrom and serve to perform two functions; first, to provide means whereby the frame may be bound about the lens and second, to provide a member into which the temples 14 may be pivotally connected.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a um 15 of shell, xylonite, cellulo d, or other suitable material and to form this run into a continuous, annular band internally grooved to receive and snap over each of the lens frames and instead of cutting or notching out the rim at the point where it passes over the end pieces I heat this non-metallic rim at this point and mold or press the same laterall and preferably forwardly as at 16, see ig. 3, out of the normal plane of the rim bringing the side walls of-the groove together as at ,20 and molding this portion into a suitable shape to fit smoothly and nicely over or around these end pieces 13 and that without reducing the stock of the rim in cross sectional area or in anywise weakening this rim at this point so that it will retain its normal or nliaximum strength throughout the entire (110 e.

In some cases I also press the edge of the stock as at 17 see Fig. 4, outwardly beyond the normal periphery of the rim so as to preserve the full cross sectional area and permit the stock to be a trifle thinner and wider at the point 16 Where it passes over the end pieces.

lVhere the bridge member is connected by arms 18 which extend rearwardly from the lens frame, instead of cutting away the stock of the non-metallic rim as is usually the case, I simply swage or mold the edge rearwardly as at 19, see Fig. 5, so as to permit it to fit nicely over the arm member Without reducing its cross-sectional area at this point.

By my improved construction of rim I am enabled to make and sell these rims independently of the eyeglass mounting so that they may be readily applied to any lens frame, as they will fit over the ordinary lens frame whose end pieces usually extend laterally therefrom.

A non-metallic rim of. my improved construction has many advantages over the ordinary rim which is notched out to fit over the end pieces or bridge members; among others being that it may be applied to ordinary lens frames and snapped into position by the wearer; or may be applied by any optician; second, non-metallic rims formed by my improved process of being offset to extend over or around the end pieces or other projections on the lens frame are very much stronger and will stand much harder usage than a rim which has been notched or weakened at this point.

The foregoing description is directed solely toward the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A non-metallic rim for a lens frame formed of a continuous annular band internally grooved to receive the lens frame, said rim at one point being oifset laterally from the plane of the rest of the rim whereby both side Walls of said groove are caused to extend around a projecting member on the 2. A non-metallic rim for a lens frame formed of-a continuous, annular band internally grooved to receive the lens frame, the side walls of the grooved portion at one point in the frame being compressed together, and said compressed portion being ofiset laterally from the plane of the rim to extend around the end piece on the frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WAYNE S. SEAR-LES. 

